Leaders throughout the church have signed the “For Love of God and Neighbor” statement, said the Rev. Steve Clunn, Common Witness Coalition coordinator.

“In the past they have typically done so as individuals. However, this is the first time that individual leaders have signed on our witness statement and in addition, whole organizations are signing on and have pledged to work as full coalition partners,” Clunn said.

Focus on racial justice and inclusiveness

This coalition focuses on racial justice and full inclusiveness, said Pamela Crosby, executive director of Black Methodists for Church Renewal.

Don Hayashi, president of the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists, said Asian Americans often are overlooked.

“We know what it is like to experience discrimination, so working in coalition with others for the elimination of discrimination … is part of the way we are living in to the Great Commandment of loving God and Neighbor together.” — Kathy Thomas-Sano

“We wish to be valued for who we are and the contributions we make,” he said. “Our faith dictates that we respect all creation for we are all created in the image of God. We have no higher calling than to love God and our neighbor."

Signers of the Love Your Neighbor statement pledge to, among other things, work for racial justice, welcome gender diversity and include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in full membership and ministry in The United Methodist Church.

Advocating for full inclusion

“I think it is important for us to work with groups that are advocating for full inclusion of LGBT and all of God’s people in the life of the church. We have worked together in informal ways in the past, so formally working together now just seems to be a natural progression of who we are and what we do,” said Kathy Thomas-Sano, a member of the Asian-American caucus.

“We know what it is like to experience discrimination, so working in coalition with others for the elimination of discrimination in the church against LGBT persons and anyone else, is part of the way we are living in to the Great Commandment of loving God and Neighbor together,” she said.

Affirmation was formed more than 40 years ago, “when the church decided some people were 'incompatible with Christian teaching,'" said Tim Tennant-Jayne, Affirmation co-spokesperson.

“It has been inspiring to see the growing partnerships that embody a deep appreciation for our God-given diversity,” said Jill A. Warren, executive director of Methodist Federation for Social Action. “Each of our groups has a long and storied history of speaking out when it would have been easier to be silent. Together we will speak out about what is possible through the love, grace and reconciliation of Jesus Christ.”

* Gilbert is a multimedia reporter for the young adult content team at United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.

The Mississippi Annual Conference—empowered by love, generosity, justice and apprenticeship—forms spiritual leaders, faith communities and connections so more disciples of Jesus Christ transform the world.